Andrea Radrizzani makes really poor move at Leeds United before 49ers Enterprises takeover – Finance Expert
We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Dan Plumley has insisted that Andrea Radrizzani left Leeds United with a sour twist after attempting to use Elland Road as collateral for his takeover of Sampdoria.
It was then confirmed that the 49ers Enterprises had agreed their takeover of the Whites, with the stadium now set to be included in that move.
The finance expert admitted it was a “really poor” move, with fans attempting to re-sign Elland Road as an Asset of Community Value after the previous deal expired.
“It’s really tricky,” he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“When you register these things as an Asset of Community Value, that has a shelf life of five years and then you have to reapply and the previous deal was signed in 2017, so whether or not that has been re-signed, we haven’t seen yet.
“There is that aspect to it, but if it has gone past the time limit on it, it’s a trickier aspect and maybe why that story came to light when it did, but I think wider than that, it looks really poor on the behalf of Radrizzani.
“It did not go down well, and if you start to do things like that, it’s more than that and football stadiums are more than that, hence why people try and get them on the register. That’s what will leave a sour taste in the mouths of fans, the situation becomes untenable.”
Thankfully, it did not play out like this in the end, with Elland Road remaining with the club.
The 49ers Enterprises now have to do through the Owner’s and Director tests for their many investors before this one becomes 100% complete, but that should hopefully be resolved quickly.
In other Leeds United news, the club may now face a losing battle to keep their star player at Elland Road beyond the summer transfer window.